Caring Hartlepool girl Tegan is up for an award

BEST OF PALS: Tegan Gilbey (left) taking a blood sugar reading for her friend Violet Owens.

Chris Cordner

Published:06:00Friday 10 April 2015

CARING Tegan Gilbey really looks out for her little friend.

The loving eight-year-old cares so much for her pal Violet Owens, five, she even learned all about the Type 1 diabetes which Violet has.

I am very proud of her, to think that this is all her own doing. She is a really caring little girl.

Josie Gilbey, mum

Whenever they are both at dance school, Hartlepool youngster Tegan checks Violet’s blood sugar levels and makes sure she eats the right snacks.

Now, Violet’s grateful family have nominated kind Tegan, who attends St Theresa’s Primary School, for a Best of Hartlepool award.

Tegan’s mum Josie Gilbey, 38, said: “I am very proud of her, to think that this is all her own doing. She is a really caring little girl.”

As well as being neighbours in Ripon Close, Hartlepool, Violet and Tegan are both students at the Jill Cooper Dance Academy in Hartlepool.

Josie, a material and logistics co-ordinator for a Stockton company, and who is married to Darren Gilbey, 44, a buyer for a manufacturing firm, said: “We live a couple of doors away and the girls play in the street together. Tegan is very close to Violet and her sisters. She loves to help out and she could not learn enough to help.

“Tegan sometimes says to me ‘I wish they could find a cure for diabetes’ and she has always wanted to do something.

“She started making loom bands and sold them to raise £40. Then, she helped bake cakes and raised another £50. She is still raising money now as well as putting some of her own money aside.”

Violet’s mum Vicki Owens said: “Tegan has been very interested in learning about diabetes and asks me for information all the time.

“When they play out together, Tegan is never far away and checks Violet’s sugars often.

“Violet is a very shy girl and, letting Tegan check her and learn, has opened Violet up so much more.

“Tegan is an amazing little girl and is so thoughtful.”

This year’s Best of Hartlepool awards will culminate with a grand finale at the Hardwick Hall in Sedgefield on April 30.

But before then, we need lots of entries, and people have until April 10 to come forward with deserving causes in categories, which range from fundraiser of the year to child of courage, and green champion to local hero.

After the deadline passes, a panel of judges will get together to draw up a shortlist.

For now, we want you to inundate us with entries. You can nominate by either filling in the form in today’s paper on this page, or do it online HERE.